Adjustable heel apparatus

ABSTRACT

An adjustable heel apparatus that is adapted to be affixed to clothing worn on the human foot, e.g., shoes, boots, etc., is disclosed. The adjustable heel includes two hollow sections adapted to cooperate in a telescoping arrangement and a height regulator mounted within the hollows thereof and externally adjustable to set the heel height at will.

United States Patent 1191 Matuka et al.

[ Apr. 23, 1974 ADJUSTABLE HEEL APPARATUS [76] lnventors: Jozsef Hartmuth Matuka; Margit 1 Matuka, both of 35-55 73rd St.,

Jackson Heights, NY. 11372 22 Filed: July 2, 1973 21 Appl. No.: 375,758

[52] US. Cl. 36/34 A, 36/42 [51] Int. Cl A43b 21/00 [58] Field of Search 36/42, 34 R, 34 A, 36 R [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,934,840 5/1960 Mistarz 36/34 R 2,258,265 10/1941 Schwartz .[36/42 x 2,707,341 5/1955 'Romano 36/34 R 2,767,489 10/1956 Sturman Primary Examiner-Alfred R. Guest [5 7 ABSTRACT An adjustable heel apparatus that is adapted to be affixed to clothing worn on the human foot, e.g., shoes, boots, etc., is disclosed. The adjustable heel includes two hollow sections adapted to cooperate in a telescoping arrangement and a height regulator mounted within the hollows thereof and externally adjustable to set the heel height at will.

5 Claims, 71x55}; Figures BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now to the figures and in partic ular, FIGS.

This invention relates to articles of clothing worn on 1A, 1B and 1C Where Several yp of footwear are the human foot and, in particular, to footwear having an adjustable heel apparatus affixed thereon.

Footwear in use today is provided-in many different styles. Each style, however, is frequently limited to a particular heel height. An individual purchasing footwear of a particular style is limited therefore to the heel height provided. Although the style of footwear may be pleasing to an individual, he or she may find that the footwear is not comfortable because the heel is too high or low for the individuals comfort. Furthermore, a shoe style with a fixed heel height may cause an individual to become tired after long walking periods. A change in the heel height may relieve the individuals fatigue'and permit additional walking to be done.

In addition, a shoe style having a particular heel height may be ideally suited for one occasion and ill suited for another. Also, in traveling where luggage weight must be kept to'a minimum a single pair of shoes may serve equally as well as a sports shoe with a low heel and as a dress shoe with a high heel.

Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide footwear with an adjustable heel apparatus.

It is a: further object of the present invention to provide footwear with an adjustable heel apparatus that may be readily set to a plurality of heel. heights.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an adjustable heel apparatus that is suitable for use in a large variety of footwear types and sizes.

A further object of the present invention is to provide an adjustable heel apparatus that may be used in conjunction with present styles.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An article of clothing to be worn on the human foot, havingan adjustable heel apparatus, according to the principles of the present invention comprises; hollow heel means: including upper and lower heel portions adapted to cooperate ina telescoping arrangement and being adapted to be affixed to the article of clothing and regulating means mounted within the hollow heel means for adjusting the heightof the heel apparatus.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING In order that. the invention may be more fully understood itwillnow bedescribed, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIGS. 1A,.1B and 1C are pictorial representations of typical articles of footwear including an adjustable heel apparatusaffixedthereon, built according to theprinciples of present invention;

FIG. Zisantenlarged pictorial perspectiveof atypical adjustable heel. apparatus;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view, in elevation, take substantially along the line 3-3 of FIG. 2;

FIG 4 is a bottom view of the adjustable heel apparatus shown in FIG. 2; and

FIG. 5 is anexploded pictorial representation of the adjustable heel apparatusshowingthearrangement of the component parts thereof.

shown to which the adjustable heel apparatus 10 has been affixed. FIG. 1A shows a mans shoe 12 with one embodiment of an adjustable heel apparatus affixed thereon. FIG. 1B shows a ladys shoe with a different style of adjustable heel apparatus 10 affixed thereon and FIG. 1C shows a boot having an adjustable heel apparatus 10 with a further variation in style affixed thereon. The letter H designates the plurality of heights available. It is to be understood that although the-external telescoping heel portions of the adjustable heel apparatus 10 appear different in external size or shape, they all function in the same manner and include the same internal structural elements.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of the adjustable heel apparatus 10 andincludes a mounting plate or stiffener 18 which, in'the preferred embodiment has the general shape of the upper surface of a hollow heel portion 20. The stiffener 18 is provided with holes 19 through which screws 21 are inserted to affix the stiff ener plate 18 to the upper heel portion 20. The upper heel portion 20 is provided with an elongated opening 24 through which a regulator arm 22 protrudes. The opening 24 is provided in the vertical inner or generally hidden surface 25 of the 'upper heel portion 20. The regulator arm 22 may be adjusted by the wearer of the shoe 12, 14 or 16 as will be explained hereinafter.

Cooperating with the hollow upper portion 20, in a telescoping arrangement, is a hollow lower portion 26. Lower heel portion 26 is provided with a vertical channel 28 having horizontal off-shoots or extensions 29 therefrom on the generally flat vertical wall 27. A rubber, leather or any other suitable material forwalking thereon, is used as a heel lift 30 and affixed to the bottom shoulder surface 31 provided on the lower portion 26 of the heel apparatus 10.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken substantially along the line 33 of FIG. 2 and shows a circular collar 32 provided on the stiffener 18 and extending into the hollow 33 of the upper heel portion 20. The collar 32 is providedwith two pairs of diametrically opposed holes 34; preferably each pair is at a different level to permit insertion of pins or wires 35 (FIG. 5) therethrough.

The hollow 33 of the upper heel portion 20 has placed therein a tubular shaped height regulator 36 (FIG. 3) and has affixed thereon a regulator arm 22 and is provided with E shaped or vertical channels 39 having horizontal channel off-shoots 41 therefrom at spaced intervals. Elongated slots 43 are also provided at the upper portion of the regulator 36. The slots 43 are adapted to cooperate with the holes 34 in the collar 32 of the stiffener l8 and when pins 35 are inserted therethrough, serve to rotatably retain the regulator 36 to the stiffener 18.

The hollow 37 of the lower heel portion 26 has inserted therein a spring 38 and a hollow inner tubular device 40 which is provided with four protrusions 42 proximate the upper edge thereof. The protrusions 42 are adapted to cooperate with the vertical channels 29 and horizontal channels 41 of the height regulator 36. The inner tubular shaped device 40 is provided, in the preferred embodiment, with a base 44 which has an internally threaded collar 45 extending inwarly therefrom andis adapted to retain the lower heel portion 26 thereto by means of the screw 60 inserted through cooperating hole 50' provided in the lower heel portion 26. The lift 30 is secured to the lower heel portion 26 by means of screws 48 cooperating with holes 62 formed in said lower heel portion and passing through holes 50 formed in the lift 30.

FIG. 4 shows the bottom view of the adjustable heel apparatus with the lift 30 held to the lower heel portion 26 by screws 48 and the regulator arm 22 extending through slot 24 as described hereinbefore.

Referring now to FIG. 5, the adjustable heel apparatus is assembled by inserting the regulator 36, with the inner tube device 40 inside, into the hollow 37 of the lower heel portion 26 allowing the protrusions 42 to cooperate with the channels 39 and 41. The inner tube device 40 is secured with respect to the lower heel portion 26 by means of screw 60, while the lift 30 is affixed to the lower heel portion 26 by screws 48. Spring 38 is inserted within the telescoping regulator 36 and inner tube device 40. The upper portion of the heel is placed thereon in a cooperating telescoping manner. The stiffener 18 is then placed on the upper portion of the regulator 40. The regulator extending up through the hollow 33. A slight pressure on the stiffener 18 will compress the spring 38 permitting the collar holes 34 to cooperate with the slots 43 of the regulator 36. The collar 32 is offered to the regulator 36 and therefore the lower portion of the heel 26, by inserting pins 35 in the cooperating holes 34 and slots 43. The stiffener 18 is affixed, in the preferred embodiment, to the upper heel portion 20 by means of screws 21 inserted through holes 19 of the stiffener 18. Since the spring 38 is in compression it insures the separation of the upper 20 and lower 26 hollow heel portions. The adjustable heel apparatus 10 is then affixed to a shoe or boot 12, 14, or 16 in a conventional manner.

It is to be noted that pressure on the heel exerted by the wearer of the shoe is borne only by the protrusions 42 resting in the horizontal channels 41.

When the wearer of the shoe having an adjustable heel apparatus affixed thereon desires to change the height of the heel, the regulator arm 22 is moved to allow the protrusions 42 to enter the vertical channels 39 from the horizontal channels 41. The lower portion of the heel is raised or lowered the desired amount until the protrusion 42 is alongside the horizontal channels 41, then the regulator arm 22 is rotated placing the protrusions in the horizontal channels 41 again, where they will remain until further adjustment is desired.

It will be understood that various changes in the details, material, arrangements of parts and operating conditions which have been herein described and illustrated in order to explain the nature of the invention may be made by those skilled in the art within the principles and scope of the invention.

Hereinbefore has been disclosed an article of clothing adapted to be worn on the human foot which has affixed thereon an-adjustable heel apparatus that enables the wearer to vary the height of the heel for maximum comfort with a minimum of effort. The ready availability of various heel heights allows a single shoe style to be proper attire for different social occasions.

While we have shown and described the preferred embodiment of our invention, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that there are many modifications, changes and improvements which may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope thereof.

What is claimed is: 1. An adjustable heel apparatus comprising hollow heel means including upper and lower heel portions adapted to cooperate in a telescoping arrangement, said lower heel portion being provided with a vertical channel having horizontal extension therefrom,

mounting means having the general shape of the upper heel portion and adapted to be removably affixed to the upper surface thereof, said mounting means being provided with an outwardly extending collar adapted to extend into the hollow of said upper heel portion,

regulator means adapted to be rotatably mounted upon said collar, said regulator means being tubular shaped and provided with a plurality of vertical channels extending from one end and having horizontal extensions therefrom at prescribed intervals, and an arm affixed thereon and adapted to extend through an elongated opening provided in said upper heel portion and cooperating with said channel provided in said lower heel portion,

inner means adapted to be inserted inside said regulator means, said inner means being tubular shaped and provided with a plurality of protrusions proximate one end thereof and adapted to cooperate with said vertical and horizontal channels of said regulator means, said inner tube means being further provided with a base integral therewith adapted to retain said hollow lower heel portions, and

spring means adapted to be inserted inside said inner tubular means and said regulator means for extending said upper and lower heel portions.

2. An adjustable heel apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said lower heel portion is provided with material suitable for walking thereon.

3. An adjustable heel apparatus according to claim 1, further including an article of clothing to be worn on the human foot, said articles being affixed to said upper heel portion.

4. An adjustable heel apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said mounting means collar is provided with two pairs of diametrically opposed holes and said regulator means is provided with two pairs of elongated slots at one end thereof adapted to cooperate with said collar holes and a retaining pin adapted to be inserted diagonally through each pair of cooperating holes to rotatably mount said regulator means to said mounting means collar.

5. An article of clothing to be worn on the human foot having an adjustable heel apparatus comprising: hollow heel means including upper and lower heel portions adapted to cooperate in a telescoping arrangement and being adapted to be affixed to said article of clothing, regulating means mounted within said hollow heel means for adjusting the height of said heel apparatus, said regulating means comprising a tubular shaped regulator provided with a plurality of vertical channels extending from one end and having horizontal extensions therefrom at prescribed intervals and an arm affixed thereon, tubular shaped innermeans adapted to be inserted inside said regulator, said tubular shaped inner means being provided with a plurality of protrusions proximate one end thereof and adapted to cooperate with said vertical and horizontal channels of said regulator, and a spring adapted to be inserted within said inner means and said regulator means for extending said upper and lower heel portions. 

1. An adjustable heel apparatus comprising hollow heel means including upper and lower heel portions adapted to cooperate in a telescoping arrangement, said lower heel portion being provided with a vertical channel having horizontal extension therefrom, mounting means having the general shape of the upper heel portion and adapted to be removably affixed to the upper surface thereof, said mounting means being provided with an outwardly extending collar adapted to extend into the hollow of said upper heel portion, regulator means adapted to be rotatably mounted upon said collar, said regulator means being tubular shaped and provided with a plurality of vertical channels extending from one end and having horizontal extensions therefrom at prescribed intervals, and an arm affixed thereon and adapted to extend through an elongated opening provided in said upper heel portion and cooperating with said channel provided in said lower heel portion, inner means adapted to be inserteD inside said regulator means, said inner means being tubular shaped and provided with a plurality of protrusions proximate one end thereof and adapted to cooperate with said vertical and horizontal channels of said regulator means, said inner tube means being further provided with a base integral therewith adapted to retain said hollow lower heel portions, and spring means adapted to be inserted inside said inner tubular means and said regulator means for extending said upper and lower heel portions.
 2. An adjustable heel apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said lower heel portion is provided with material suitable for walking thereon.
 3. An adjustable heel apparatus according to claim 1, further including an article of clothing to be worn on the human foot, said articles being affixed to said upper heel portion.
 4. An adjustable heel apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said mounting means collar is provided with two pairs of diametrically opposed holes and said regulator means is provided with two pairs of elongated slots at one end thereof adapted to cooperate with said collar holes and a retaining pin adapted to be inserted diagonally through each pair of cooperating holes to rotatably mount said regulator means to said mounting means collar.
 5. An article of clothing to be worn on the human foot having an adjustable heel apparatus comprising: hollow heel means including upper and lower heel portions adapted to cooperate in a telescoping arrangement and being adapted to be affixed to said article of clothing, regulating means mounted within said hollow heel means for adjusting the height of said heel apparatus, said regulating means comprising a tubular shaped regulator provided with a plurality of vertical channels extending from one end and having horizontal extensions therefrom at prescribed intervals and an arm affixed thereon, tubular shaped inner means adapted to be inserted inside said regulator, said tubular shaped inner means being provided with a plurality of protrusions proximate one end thereof and adapted to cooperate with said vertical and horizontal channels of said regulator, and a spring adapted to be inserted within said inner means and said regulator means for extending said upper and lower heel portions. 